Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XIV 21 Sep 2017
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Sicily, Galaria AR Litra. Circa 430-420 BC. Dionysos standing left, holding kantharos and thyrsos; ivy rising to left / Grape bunch on vine with leaves flanking; CAΛAPI-NON below. Rizzo pl. 59, 20; Jenkins, AIIN suppl. 20, pl. VI, a.; HGC 2, 332. 0.85g, 12mm, 10h.
Mint State. Extremely Rare. A miniature masterpiece.
Originally a native Sikeliote city that appears to have later Hellenised, Galaria borrowed heavily from the iconography of Aitna and Naxos for its only two issues of coinage, both struck in the mid-late fifth century. However, while the style and form of the first issue c.460 which depicts Zeus Soter on the obverse and Dionysos on the reverse is exceedingly crude, by comparison and indeed by any standard the style of this second issue is sublime. Still highly archaising in a period when the rest of the city states of Sicily were reaching an apex of high classical style, the tiny figure of Dionysos holding his thyrsos and wine cup is exceedingly charming, and truly remarkable considering the size of the coin.
Mint State. Extremely Rare. A miniature masterpiece.
Originally a native Sikeliote city that appears to have later Hellenised, Galaria borrowed heavily from the iconography of Aitna and Naxos for its only two issues of coinage, both struck in the mid-late fifth century. However, while the style and form of the first issue c.460 which depicts Zeus Soter on the obverse and Dionysos on the reverse is exceedingly crude, by comparison and indeed by any standard the style of this second issue is sublime. Still highly archaising in a period when the rest of the city states of Sicily were reaching an apex of high classical style, the tiny figure of Dionysos holding his thyrsos and wine cup is exceedingly charming, and truly remarkable considering the size of the coin.